People you should know: Mike Grellner

Mike Grellner

Plaza Real Estate-Commercial Division

AGE: 29

JOB DESCRIPTION: There is a lot of variation in my daily tasks. In general terms, if it involves commercial real estate in Columbia/Boone County, then it’s a project for us. Such roles include: representation of seller/landlord or buyer/tenant when dealing with office, retail or industrial buildings, land and investments; market studies; site evaluations; corporate relocations/expansions/exits; lease and/or contract reviews; and zoning interpretations.

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 2

ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: St. Louis

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in business finance from Truman State University.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Member of Columbia Chamber of Commerce small business and membership committees; member of the Boys & Girls Club board of directors; member of the Imagine Columbia’s Future visioning process’s economic development committee; member of COLORS (Columbia Locally Owned Retail & Services).

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Manager and commercial leasing agent for Colliers Turley Martin Tucker in St. Louis for five years, prior to joining Paul Land at Plaza Real Estate-Commercial Division two years ago.

A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: I have the opportunity to interact with so many people I consider role models that it is difficult to single out one individual. Generally speaking, I admire individuals whose business efforts coincide with a desire to improve our community overall; they help me realize that you can strive to build your business while also working toward advancing this community.

WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I really enjoy working with people. On a daily basis, I interact with many different people in this community who are pursuing goals they are passionate about. It is very rewarding to help them achieve success.

IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING: I would do consulting work. I have many acquaintances who own/operate different types of businesses. I like to discuss the conditions of those businesses and offer my opinions as to what may create success or be a detriment.

BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: My move from St. Louis to Columbia. When my wife began medical school at the University of Missouri-Columbia, I left a solid career path behind in St. Louis for a completely unfamiliar place. Since joining this community, I have been fortunate to be mentored by great people, and I have followed their advice to jump in with both feet. Thus far, I have received a warm welcome and am very enthused about the career opportunities that lie ahead.

A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Assisted Burrell Behavioral Health with a site search for their children’s clinic. This organization is important to the future of Columbia; it has been rewarding to contribute to their strategic plan.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: You never know what the day will bring. You may be driving into work laying out the structure of your day and end up dealing with a whole different series of events.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Our family always looks for community events to attend, and we enjoy the great variety that Columbia hosts. We enjoy the outdoors: camping, fishing (in particular fly-fishing) and hiking. We also spend a lot of time on my in-laws’ cattle ranch in Vienna, Mo.; it’s a great place to get away and do some character-building work while relaxing with family.

FAMILY: I am fortunate to have two great ladies in my life: my wife, Karrisa, who begins her third year of medical school this summer, and our 9-month-old daughter, Frances, who provides endless entertainment.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Downtown on Broadway. No matter what time of day it is, you always encounter good people and usually end up in the midst of interesting discussions.

ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Becoming a father. I suppose the jury is still out on how well I am doing, but I certainly beam with pride when I spend time with my wife and daughter.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: During college, I spent a summer as a commercial salmon fisherman on an island off the southern coast of Alaska. It was the experience of a lifetime, and I hope to take my family there some day so they can experience it also.